Genbu (ゲンブ, Genbu), more commonly known as the Island Turtle (島亀, Shimagame), is a gigantic and ancient turtle that resides in the Land of Lightning. Since its founding, it has been cared for by Kumogakure and serves as a training ground for the Kumo ninja. It is described as a moving fortress and size is so great that it can host other large animals as well as other natural and man-made structures. It is considered to be the equivalent of Konoha's Forest of Death.

Appearance

The "island".

The turtle's shell, the "island", has an accumulation of plant life that has grown on it. Despite being described by the Great Toad Sage as a paradise, it is anything but that to humans, with signs of death and battle everywhere and large, ferocious animals populating the island. The Falls of Truth can also be found on the island. The island was protected by a Giant Squid, which attacked anything that approached, and a high-level barrier technique. In addition, the island can move, making it impossible to find without air reconnaissance.

The turtle itself is one of — if not the largest — creature in the series, easily surpassing the nine tailed beasts and the Sannin's respective larger summons, while rivalling the Ten-Tails, in size. It is mostly grey in colour, with spikes protruding from its shell and with a blue underbelly. Its shell is extremely sturdy, being able to withstand attacks of powerful techniques and can even house the tailed beasts, though it is implied that its underbelly is less so, but still strong enough to handle even one of Deidara's explosions without sustaining any damage.

Part II

Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown

Killer B's house on the island.

A number of Konoha ninja accompany Naruto as extra protection, including Might Guy, Aoba Yamashiro and Yamato, with Motoi serves as a guide for all of them. The official cover-story for Naruto's presence on the island is that he's "examining the island's ecology". Kisame Hoshigaki was also on the island, hiding inside the Samehada, which B has taken after their battle, he was discovered by Naruto and began to fight Might Guy. Motoi noted that if Kisame passes through the barrier, they will no longer be able to track him down. Though Kisame was ultimately forced to commit suicide, his messenger shark managed to take a scroll of information off the island to Tobi, which resulted in the island needing to move to a safer location.

The temple on the island.

Later, Naruto is seen taking a "survey" of the islands giant animals, under the pretence that it was part of his "mission". However, Manda II attacks the giant turtle's tail causing it to yell out, revealing its location to Kabuto Yakushi. While moving, the turtle has been intercepted by the Manda II, who bit its tail to prevent it from moving. After that, Kabuto ordered the reincarnatedDeidara to implant a giant clay jellyfish bomb, which flipped the turtle upside down. The two Akatsuki allies and the Third Tsuchikage along with Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi then landed on the belly-side of the turtle to do battle.

After the fight which ended up with Yamato being captured by Kabuto, Ōnokicarried the entire island turtle to Kumogakure through the air.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation

Naruto and Killer B are later confined here under guard of shinobi from the Alliance. Here, Naruto continues his training with Killer B to control and utilise the Nine-Tails' and its chakra in the chakra isolation chamber. However, he eventually figured out about the war and, with B's assistance, escaped the Self-Repairing Barrier placed around the turtle to join the war.

Trivia

Due to the apes and the very obscure settings on the island, it might be a reference to Skull Island from the 1933 film King Kong. Killer B also affectionately calls an ape "King", a possible reference to the film's title character.

This also could be a reference to the World Turtle, a giant turtle or tortoise, supporting or containing the world on its back. This myth appears in Hindu mythology, in Chinese mythology and in Native American mythology, notably the Iroquois.

The Island Turtle also shows similarity with the Mary River turtle, an endangered species of turtle that lives in Australia.

The turtle's name Genbu is most likely a reference to Genbu the "Black Tortoise" or "Black Turtle" one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations, though in some cultures, the name Genbu is translated as the "Black Warrior".